# NTSB NYC84LA281: Piper PA-28-180, N44325, White Marsh, MD, August 18, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 18, 1984, 00:30 local (04:30 UTC)
- Place: White Marsh, MD
- Coordinates: 39.390716, -76.409141 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.3907&lon=-76.4091&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35741
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC84LA281
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35741/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC84LA281

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - powerplant controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper descent rate - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (cause)
  - remedial action - not understood, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - maneuver - attempted, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - light condition - night (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT WAS DESCENDED FOR APRX 7 MILES AT LOW POWER & SLOW RATE FOR THE LANDING AT WHITE MARSH ARPT. THE DESCENT STARTED AT 2800 FT & CONTINUED STRAIGHT IN TO RWY 27. AT ABOUT 200 YDS FROM THE RWY & AT 200 FT AGL THE PLT DECIDED HE NEEDED POWER TO LAND PROPERLY. AS THE THROTTLE WAS APPLIED THE ENG SPUTTERED & COUGHED, ACCORDING TO THE PLT, BEFORE QUITTING. THE PLT THEN TURNED THE ACFT TO THE LEFT TO LINE UP WITH I-95 SOUTH BOUND. A TRUCK INTERFERED WITH THE HIGHWAY LANDING & THE PLT BANKED THE ACFT TO THE RT TO LAND ON THE GRADED 40 FT WIDE SHOULDER OF THE INTERSTATE. THE ACFT HIT TREES & GROUND LOOPED TO A STOP. THE PLT STATED IN HIS REPORT THAT OVER PHILLIPS AFB HE NOTICED THAT THE FUEL GAGES WERE READING 5 GALS EACH & BOUNCING AROUND. HE SAID HE FELT THAT CARB ICE OR MAG FAILURE WERE CAUSAL, AND HE RAN OUT OF TIME TO GO THRU ANY EMERGENCY PROCEDURES (AS HE DID NOT BECOME AWARE OF A NEED FOR ACTION UNTIL THE APPLICATION OF THROTTLE AT 200 FT AGL ON FINAL APPROACH).

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N44325](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N44325-2012-11-29), registration cancelled 2012-11-29, S/N 28-7405234, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-180
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180) (registry code 7102808) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7405234
- Airframe hours: 2765
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Sasscer, Bernard J.
- Registered owner: Wahlahaupter, John N., Jr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 12, 1984
- Departed: JFK, NEW YORK, NY
- Destination: 1W2, WHITE MARSH, MD
- Airport: 1W2, Baltimore Airpark

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 102 total, 75 in this make and model, 71 as pilot in command, 32 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 40° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Altimeter: 28.00 inHg

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19840818041359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840818041359A), Aug 18, 1984: Piper PA28180, White Marsh, MD, Destroyed. Failed to use carburetor heat during descent. Engine quit, landed on highway shoulder, struck a tree.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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